Multiple cerebral syphilitic gummas mimicking brain tumor in a non-HIV-infected patient: A case report

Abstract

We present a unique case of symptomatic early neurosyphilis in a non-HIV-infected patient. A 47-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus presented with generalized seizures. He did not manifest any neurological deficits. At first, multiple brain tumors were suspected based on findings from magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. However, serological and cerebrospinal fluid tests for syphilis yielded positive results, and the masses were reduced using amoxicillin. Multiple cerebral syphilitic gummas were therefore diagnosed. High-dose penicillin therapy was initiated and syphilitic gummas disappeared after five months. Treponema pallidum could invade the central nervous system at an early phase, and sometimes may be difficult to distinguish from malignant brain tumor. If intracranial lesions are identified in a syphilis-infected patient, cerebral syphilitic gumma should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus; Multiple cerebral syphilitic gummas; Neurosyphilis; Treponema pallidum.